Minnesota
Vikings
2018 Record: (8-7-1) 2nd NFC North
2018 Season Recap:
Offense
Points: 22.5 (19th)
Yards: 345.6 (20th)
Pass Yards: 252.2 (13th)
Rush Yards: 93.3 (30th)
Defense
Points: 213 (9th)
Yards: 309.7 (4th)
Pass Yards: 196.2 (3rd)
Rush Yards: 113.4 (15th)
The Minnesota Vikings made supreme headlines last season
and not just with their miraculous victory in the playoffs over the New Orleans
Saints.
Looking to bolster their offensive attack with a more
sound approach, attaching themselves to the Kirk Cousins free agent frenzy was
at the top of the list. Becoming the front runner for the coveted quarterback,
the Vikings made history in giving Kirk a fully guaranteed contract.
Believing the output would match the potential, the
Vikings began the year with a convincing win over the 49ers, followed by a
great offensive showing verse the Packers. Heading into their bye week (week
10), up and down performances led the Vikings to hold a 5-3-1 record with much
promise still attached.
While the outlook was starting to view less appealing then
the Minnesota staff had originally hoped, this offense, (including Kirk
Cousins) looked as though they had great struggles now that opposing teams had adequate
film to help in their game plans.
Needing to secure at least 5 wins in their final 7
contests, the Vikings were unable to meet that quota leaving a sour taste to the
Viking faithful. Upon the conclusion of the regular season, many began the critical
review to if Kirk Cousins was not only worth the money, but was he the right
man for the job.
2019
Offseason WorkBook:
The
Coaching Staff
While coach Zimmer received a lot of praise for his
2017 season with Case Keenum throwing the ball, the evaluation quickly turned
as many called for his removal after a wasted campaign.
Though Minnesota ownership had no intension of
listening to the naysayers to remove a coach that has done great things for
this organization, adding to the staff to take them over the top was vital to
move this talented group in the right direction.
Coach Zimmer knew his offensive system needed more
creativity, so removing John DeFilippo and hiring Kevin Stefanski to take over
as the team’s offensive coordinator was the first step. Adding to that, hiring
former Broncos offensive wiz Gary Kubiak to hold an advisory role for the
offense, should work out greatly in bringing Kirk Cousins game to the next
level.
The
Offense
While the scrutiny of Kirk Cousins will last
throughout the offseason and training camp, evaluators will continue downplay the
quarterback. It’s clear the masses feel that Kirk will never become a true
elite player that can lift his game to the heights of brining the Vikings a
championship, but our outlook is far different than most.
Kirk Cousins is better than people give him credit for,
but where his weaknesses rest, it’s in being a sound clutch player. Cousins
buckles under the pressure of big time situations leaving a lot to be desired on
the field. If this aspect of his game can be corrected with confidence, there isn’t
a place Kirk can’t lead this team. Year two in the Minnesota installation will
give us a clearer picture to if we have missed the boat as well.
When we review the Vikings running back situation, it
was clear last season that youngster Dalvin Cook was continuously dealing with his
surgically repaired knee, leaving the output to be rather grim. In the final 5
contests of the 2018 season, Cook was able to re-establish himself as a player
capable of being that 3-down back the Vikings drafted in 2017. In his absence,
Latavius Murray filled in nicely over the last two years, but surely didn’t provide
what was needed behind Cousins. With Murray in need of a new contract and
likely heading to the open market, the Vikings will have to address the depth
of this group as a high priority in the draft or free agency.
When going back to review the strength of this Vikings
offense, this receiving core has the potential to get even better in 2019. Led
by two absolute machines - Adam Thielen proved he was a top player in the
league while breaking records in the process. As Thielen was making headlines,
his teammate Stefon Diggs was quietly putting up the best numbers of his short
career. With these two leading the way, finding appropriate secondary pieces to
help from the slot would absolutely make this offense that much more fierce.
The
Defense
Going back to the 2017 season, this defensive group
was an absolute beast on the field wreaking havoc on everyone they played. Following
up that season with another strong showing, the Vikings did see a slight
letdown in their run defense rankings, but overall were still a very stout
group.
Looking back at this defensive line, the Vikings did
see lost productivity simply due to the lost time from their star Everson
Griffen, but as a whole still looked the part of a dominating group. Minnesota
racked up a whopping 50 sacks on the season behind star Danielle Hunter and his
14.5 sacks. With added attention on rushing the passer, stopping the run became
secondary which led to a lower output. Heading into the 2019 season, Minnesota
looks prime to add more depth to this line and still be a force on the field.
When looking at the line backing core with Anthony
Barr and Eric Kendricks literally having their way with opposing offenses, this
group again proved they were a powerhouse. Kendricks continued his natural way
of doing business in leading the team in tackles with a healthy 108 on the season.
With these two the staples of the middle, perhaps seeing better depth (at the
Will line backer position) would lift this group to even greater pastures. With
Anthony Barr looking for a new deal, this offseason will get mighty interesting
for this defense.
While this defensive backend housed the 3rd
best rankings in terms of pass defense, this group did allow a fair number of
big plays happen. With that said, we are truly enamoured with their star power
in both Harrison Smith and Xavier Rhodes - believing they appropriately identify
what super stars should look like for defensive backs and safeties. Rounding
out the group with Trae Waynes, Mike Hughes, Mackensie Alexander, and Holton
Hill, it’s no wonder Minnesota has been rumored to have Waynes on the trade
block. Though this group is strong, we would love to see and upgrade to the
Strong Safety position to provide better support to Smith.
This group should continue to progress and remain a
top-flight unit in 2019.
Team
Free Agents / Team Salary Cap
When the Vikings chose to bring Kirk Cousins to the
team, this day of limited funds on the books was knowingly coming. Minnesota
holds a meek 5 million (+$5,348,944) in positive cash flow which will be a
glaring concern when the league year opens.
At least in terms of team free agents the Vikings have
to consider, their listing is rather small holding 17 players vying for new
deals. With that said, some names which highlight this listing do have great
value. First, star line backer Anthony Barr is set to hit the open market and
is expected to hit a large payday with the average annual salary approaching
8.3 million for player of his caliber. Barr is a top priority to bring back to
the team, so the Vikings brain trust will have to get creative.
Sheldon Richardson, Nick Easton also hold significant value
to potentially return, but at this point Richardson looks to be the odd man
out. Outside of those players, Minnesota simply won’t have enough funds on the
books to make any real competitive offers and should look to the draft and the
undrafted free agent market to fill out this roster.
As always, our main objective is to try and find ways
to increase funds on the books, and the Vikings currently have many
opportunities. It’s no secret to why Trae Waynes has been placed on the trade
block, as his current salary holds a whopping 9 million dollars with no dead
money attached. It’s not inconceivable to see Waynes released if no trade partner
can be found. Adding to that, reworking the contract of both Stefon Diggs and
Adam Thielen would go a long way to alleviate their current cap hits which
equates to a generous 20.5 million between the two. Locking both up to longer
deals would help this financial situation.
In terms of cut candidates, Kyle Rudolph is a primary
name that should no longer be on the team with his outrageous 7.6 million
eating up 3.97% of the team’s available cap - with no dead money attached. It’s
not to suggest Kyle isn’t a sound player, but for the money and value, it’s
time to move on. Andrew Sendejo is another player that doesn’t warrant his
current salary, as Minnesota could easily save all of his 5.5 million while
also not paying anything to dead funds.
With releasing/trading just Waynes, Rudolph, and
Sendejo, Minnesota could easily resign Anthony Barr and still have room to shop
on the open market to improve this club. As it stands right now, changes have
to be made.
The
NFL Draft
Heading into the 2019 NFL draft, the Vikings have
ample draft capital holding 8 selections total, while having the 18th
overall pick in the first round.
While securing depth talent will go a long way in how
this team progresses and competes to get back to playoff contention, removing
some current rostered players and replacing them with rookies would also help
the future outlook of this squad.
Having many pieces to the puzzle already a fixture on
the roster, Minnesota could literally move in any direction to strengthen what
they already have. Hitting on at least 50% of this draft class will be
paramount to the success this season, and we feel Minnesota could hit a home run.
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